In the 15 years since it was founded, VTDigger has become Vermont’s essential source of news and investigation — and a model for sustainable, nonprofit journalism across the country. We work to promote our mission of producing rigorous journalism that explains complex issues, promotes public accountability and fosters democratic and civic engagement each and every day. Summary VTDigger is an industry-leading nonprofit news organization dedicated to producing rigorous, in-depth journalism that informs and engages people who care about Vermont. We continue to grow our impact as a trusted source of investigative reporting, breaking news, and nuanced coverage of issues critical to Vermont's democracy, civic infrastructure, culture and environment. The organization budget is approximately $3.4M with about 30 employees working throughout Vermont. Position Overview VTDigger seeks an experienced and visionary editor-in-chief to lead our newsroom, set the editorial direction, inspire and coach the staff, and uphold our mission of producing high-quality, in-depth, public-service journalism. The editor-in-chief will work with the managing editor and other senior newsroom leaders to play a pivotal role in shaping the organization’s strategy and inspiring a talented team of reporters and editors to deliver impactful journalism about Vermont. In addition, the editor-in-chief will serve on the leadership team with the CEO, CFAO and managing editor, collaborating to drive the organization forward as a whole. This role requires working across departments to align newsroom goals with organizational priorities, fostering a cohesive culture, growth ambitions, and contributing to strategic decisions that impact all facets of VTDigger. The editor-in-chief also serves as the lead manager working with the newsroom’s union, fostering a positive and productive relationship with guild representatives. This is a rare opportunity for a leader who is passionate about local news and committed to advancing nonprofit journalism during a time of both challenges and innovation in the media landscape. Key Responsibilities Editorial Leadership Develop and execute a forward-looking editorial strategy that is aligned with VTDigger’s mission, values and goals. Ensure the organization consistently produces accurate, fair, impactful and compelling journalism of statewide and regional interest. Clearly articulate the newsroom vision to internal and external audiences. Foster a newsroom culture of collaboration, inclusivity and innovation. Contribute to developing and implementing newsgathering and employment policies that uphold the highest standards of ethical, accurate, and impactful journalism while fostering professional growth and a human-centered work environment. Team Management Lead, mentor and support a team of editors, reporters and multimedia staff. Oversee hiring, training, and professional development of newsroom staff. Foster a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. Set high journalistic standards and ensure adherence to them through coaching and regular feedback. Manage competing priorities by strategically aligning them with the organization's resources, with a solutions-oriented approach to achieving goals. Serve as the primary management representative working with the newsroom’s union, addressing concerns and fostering a collaborative environment. Strategic Planning Collaborate with the CEO and leadership team to align editorial priorities and coverage areas with organizational strategy, reader needs and financial resources. In collaboration with the audience & product director, innovate on how VTDigger delivers news to its audience, exploring new formats, tools, and technologies to better serve Vermonters. Stay ahead of trends in journalism, digital media and nonprofit news. Community Engagement Act as a public face of VTDigger, engaging with readers, donors, and community members at events and through public appearances. Partner with the development team to support fundraising initiatives by articulating the newsroom’s vision and impact. Respond to reader feedback in a timely and professional manner. Collaboration with Revenue Team Work closely with the revenue team to identify and develop editorial funding opportunities, including grants and partnerships. Strategize with the development and membership teams on ways to connect editorial projects with donor and member interests. Ensure that our journalistic impact is consistently recorded and communicated. Operational Oversight Supervise the planning and execution of timely news coverage, investigations, special projects and opinion pieces. Oversee adherence to ethical standards, legal guidelines, and journalistic integrity. Manage the newsroom budget in collaboration with the managing editor and senior newsroom staff. Position Requirements Proven leadership experience in a newsroom, with at least five years in an editorial leadership role. Exceptional news judgment and a deep understanding of the journalism industry. A track record of managing and inspiring teams to produce high-quality journalism. Strong commitment to public-interest journalism and the mission of nonprofit news. High emotional intelligence and the ability to work collaboratively and calmly under pressure. Ability to be flexible and iterative in a rapidly changing news landscape. Skills and Experience Demonstrated experience with digital publishing, audience engagement strategies and multimedia storytelling. Excellent communication skills, including the ability to engage with diverse stakeholders and represent the organization publicly. Experience working collaboratively with unions or in a unionized environment is highly desirable. Knowledge of Vermont issues and communities is strongly preferred Working Conditions Our offices are located in Montpelier, Vermont, and this position is remote/hybrid, with a few days in-office each week. Because we believe in reporting in communities and not just on them, and the high-profile nature of this role, we require the person in this role lives in or relocates to Vermont. Physical Demands Work involves accomplishing most duties from a seated or standing position. This position may involve frequent bending, standing for extended periods of time, walking and working in all types of weather conditions. There is potential for eye strain from reading detailed materials on a computer screen. Deadlines, workloads during peak periods, and changing priorities may cause increased stress levels. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Application process and deadline Interested candidates will submit a letter of interest and resume Three sample work packages/clips should be emailed to [email protected]. Your letter of interest should explain what makes you uniquely qualified for this position and be no longer than one page. The deadline to apply is February 21, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. E.T., or until the position is filled. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. VTDigger, a project of Vermont Journalism Trust, LTD is a proud equal opportunity employer. We work diligently to recruit a broad pool of candidates and to hire and promote qualified individuals whose personal experiences, characteristics, and talents reasonably reflect the diversity of the communities served by VTDigger. Our equal employment opportunities apply to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, reduction in force, recall, transfer, leave of absence, compensation and training. We especially encourage members of communities that are traditionally underrepresented and misrepresented in the media to apply to join our team, including those who are Black, Indigenous or people of color; women; LGBTQ+ people, and people with disabilities. The pay range for this role is: 95,000 - 110,000 USD per year(Vermont)